Understanding Intrathecal Duramorph Complications: Duramorph Hypothermia

Abstract

A wide and diverse review of literature was conducted to research the phenomenon duramorph hypothermia that occurs after intrathecal preservative free morphine administration. This paper is to bring to light the harmful effects of duramorph hypothermia and what the anesthesia provider can do to eliminate these possible side effects. The adverse effects can cause immediate medical danger to the patient as well as increase their length of recovery. When there is a prolonged length of recovery there is also a delayed hospital discharge, further increasing medical costs. The average anesthesia provider may not have the knowledge base to develop a diagnosis, placing the patient at risk and delaying proper medical care as well. It is for this reason that providers need to have periodic continuing education presentations in order to bring awareness and increase anesthesia providers’ knowledge of when to potentially expect the risk of duramorph hypothermia, how to recognize the symptoms, how to diagnose, and, ultimately, how to treat it. Hypothermia is normally a drop in temperature greater than 1°C from baseline or a core body temperatures between 34° C and 36° C from core body temperature readings. Low dose lorazepam of about 1mg IV push is the definitive treatment for the phenomena known as duramorph hypothermia.

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